Debra WalkerCane Run Road, Louisville, KY

"We're scared to death of living here next to a coal plant, but we can't sell our house... The only chance we have is for the EPA to clean up all this mess."

Debra Walker has lived next to the LG&E Cane Run coal power plant and a huge pile of toxic coal ash, 50 yards from her home, for 22 years. In that time, she and her family have suffered tremendously from the plant's toxic soot pollution and the drifting coal ash dust.

"My whole family has been sick," Debra says. Her oldest daughter has asthma and suffered severe asthma attacks in her youth. Debra's son was born severely autistic, which she blames on the coal plant, and is now 22 years old and house-bound.

Debra herself has had three bouts of cancer, and has been ill and away from her job with the country school district frequently this year. She still cares for her son and her 3-year old granddaughter, Lilly James, in her home.

"I don't want my granddaughter growing up here," Debra says. "We're scared to death of living here next to a coal plant, but we can't sell our house. No one wants to buy our house. We're sick and tired of it. The only chance we have is for the EPA to clean up all this mess."